Who needs which set-up?

Custard-first home cooks

If the portable hob will mainly hold one saucepan of custard, adjustable lower settings and a stable pan matter more to your choice than a second cooking zone. You will still need to stir and adjust the heat as it thickens.

Families needing an extra cooking zone

If another part of the meal needs a pan at the same time, two independently controlled zones may be useful. Check that the hob fits your worktop and that your electrical arrangement can handle the appliance load.

Households keeping their existing cookware

If you want to use a non-magnetic saucepan, consider a ceramic hot plate. For induction, check that the pan has a suitable magnetic base and fits the model’s stated pan-size range.

What matters when choosing?

Start with the pan and the number of saucepans you need to use at once, then compare the exact hob’s heat controls. A selectable setting gives you a way to adjust the heat, not a guaranteed temperature inside the custard.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Adjustable heat Look for several selectable lower power or temperature settings and controls you can adjust while stirring. Maximum wattage alone does not establish gentle control. If custard is the main task, I want to reduce the heat as it thickens rather than rely on one setting. Around 42% of consumers would put adjustable heat first.
Cooking capacity Decide whether you need one zone or two independently controlled zones; check the worktop space and the appliance’s total electrical load. When another dish needs a pan while the custard cooks, I need a separate zone for it. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise that extra capacity.
Pan and electrical fit For induction, check the saucepan’s magnetic base and the model’s permitted pan diameter. Check any extension lead’s rating against the combined appliance load. If I am keeping my saucepan or using the hob away from a wall socket, I need the pan and power arrangement to work safely. Around 25% of consumers would make compatibility and set-up their primary concern.

Buying pitfalls to avoid

  • Choosing induction before checking the saucepan

    An induction hob needs suitable magnetic cookware, and some models specify a permitted pan diameter. A saucepan that looks the right size may still be unsuitable.

    Test whether a magnet sticks to the flat base, then compare the pan diameter with the exact hob’s requirements.

    If your existing saucepan is unsuitable, you would need a compatible one to use that induction hob.

  • Using maximum wattage as a measure of gentle control

    A 2,000W rating states an appliance’s maximum power, not how precisely it will hold custard at a lower heat. The pan, batch size and stirring also affect cooking.

    Compare the available lower settings and choose controls you can adjust readily while attending to the saucepan.

  • Overloading an extension lead with a double hob

    Electrical Safety First warns that appliances whose combined load exceeds an extension lead’s maximum rating can cause overheating and fire.

    Check the lead’s rating against everything connected to it. Do not daisy-chain extension leads, and fully unwind a cable reel before use.

  • Assuming family custard requires two zones

    A second zone does not help with a single saucepan of custard; it is useful when another pan must cook at the same time.

    Choose a single-zone set-up for a dedicated custard station, or consider two independently controlled zones if simultaneous cooking is a regular need.

    A double hob also needs room on the worktop alongside the pans you intend to use.

Brands to consider

CASO Design

Its ProSlim 2000 is a single-zone induction option for shoppers comparing selectable settings and pan-fit requirements.

  • Homebase lists ten power levels up to 2,000W, ten temperature settings and automatic pot detection for 12–22cm pans for this model.
  • Those specifications apply to the listed ProSlim model, not every CASO Design hob. It still requires induction-compatible cookware.

Emperial

Its single-zone induction hob is an option for shoppers who want touch controls and a timer.

  • Emperial lists a 2,000W rating, selectable settings from 80–240°C and a four-hour timer for this model.
  • The displayed setting does not guarantee the temperature of custard in a particular saucepan; suitable magnetic cookware is required.

Geepas

Geepas lists portable ceramic, cast-iron and induction formats, as well as single- and double-zone hot plates.

  • Geepas describes independently controlled double zones as an option for meals that need two pans at once.
  • The choice still depends on the particular model’s pan requirements, worktop footprint and electrical load; induction models require magnetic cookware.

Portable induction option on Joybuy

This single-zone induction option is relevant if you have a suitable magnetic saucepan and want adjustable settings for a separate custard cooking station. Check the pan fit and your electrical arrangement before choosing it.

ochama 2000W portable induction hob

ochama 2000W portable induction hob

A single-zone option for cooking custard if your saucepan is suitable for induction.

The product name specifies a 2,000W rating, touch controls, ten power settings, six functions, a glass panel and a safety lock. Check the compatible pan size and lower settings against your saucepan and recipe; selectable settings do not guarantee the custard’s temperature.

Confirm the plug and electrical requirements for your set-up before use. The product information also cautions that the panel can become hot, so do not move the hob while it is operating and keep its ventilation openings clear.

View on Joybuy

Questions about portable hobs and custard

Should I use induction or ceramic for custard?

Choose between them according to your saucepan: induction needs a suitable magnetic base, while a ceramic hot plate is an option for a non-magnetic pan. With either type, use a lower setting as the custard thickens, stay nearby and stir; the hob setting does not guarantee the mixture’s temperature.

Do I need a double portable hob for a family meal?

Not for one saucepan of custard. Consider a double hob if another pan needs to cook at the same time, and check that its zones are independently controlled and that the unit fits your worktop.

Will my saucepan work on a portable induction hob?

It needs a suitable magnetic base and must meet the exact hob’s pan-size requirements. A magnet sticking to the flat base is a useful initial check; Homebase specifies a 12–22cm pan range for the CASO Design ProSlim 2000, but other models may have different requirements.

Can I use an extension lead with a portable hob?

Only use one that is in good condition and rated for the combined load of everything connected to it. Electrical Safety First warns against overloading extensions or adaptors, advises against daisy-chaining leads and says cable reels should be fully unwound. A direct wall socket avoids adding an extension where one is practical.

What should I check about the plug before buying?

Confirm the hob’s plug and electrical rating are suitable for your intended UK socket arrangement, then inspect the plug and cable for damage before use. Electrical Safety First gives a 13-amp fuse as general guidance for appliances rated from 700–3,000W; check the requirements for the particular appliance rather than selecting a fuse from its wattage alone.